Linux or Windows on Netbook?

Netbooks are proving to be very popular with the younger generation and with executives who are constantly on the move as they are highly portable and at the same time allow one to do all the basic computing tasks. However, their lower CPU and power also puts some restrictions on the kind of applications they can run. This is one of the reasons why most netbooks tend to come as Linux-based or Windows XP based.

You might wonder whether this distinction is even important since most of the time you are using the netbook for the most basic tasks like emailing, browsing the net and perhaps using a word processor. Tasks that you believe, a Linux machine can do as well as a Windows based one.

In fact, Linux, which is a free, open-source operating system has been found to run extremely well on less powerful machines and hence became the ideal choice as an OS for many netbooks. In addition, netbooks carrying Linux are very reliable, tend to crash far less, are far less affected by viruses and one can choose from hundreds of open-source software compatible with Linux. Since Linux is open-source, it is available in a number of varieties, each one carrying its own bundle of basic applications. Netbook manufacturers are also trying to develop in-house software that will enhance these applications and make the user interface much simpler.

Having said that, one should remember that one of the main advantages of Windows is its sheer familiarity. Even with the extreme simplicity of most Linux interfaces today, people who have worked with Windows all their life simply find it too difficult to make the transition from Windows to Linux. For example, installing a new program on Linux, though not difficult, is completely different from the way it is done on Windows and hence proves to be quite a challenge to a Windows user.  On the other hand, Windows makes it fairly easy to install new programs or to synchronize with external, portable devices. A netbook based on Windows XP can be expected to execute all the basic tasks as well as any Windows XP desktop or laptop.

Another major concern with Linux is that it does not support external devices that well and even simple tasks such as playing a DVD becomes difficult.  Further, many Linux-based netbooks have a problem reading and working with some Office files. The only alternative is for you to learn a Linux alternative like OpenOffice, which may involve a learning curve. If your work requires you to work on a Windows application, then you are limited to buying a Windows XP netbook. 
 
If you need the netbook for only basic computing purposes and are not really worried about which applications you use to do that, you would be advised to try Linux on your current desktop or laptop to see how comfortable you are working with it. After working with both Windows XP and Linux, you can decide which OS you would prefer to install on your netbook.